Selling Your Home in Houston? Food For Thought
Every year, the National Association of Realtors(R) offers a Survey to Homebuyers and Sellers asking them questions to help stay up with the trends in the market. What are Buyers looking for? What was the experience selling your home? Some of the statistics are shocking, some not so much. Regardless, it helps Professionals in the industry see changes in the Industry almost as they happen.
Well, According to the NAR 2008 Home Buyer and Seller Profile:
“Environmentally friendly features also were important, cited by 90 percent of buyers. Heating and cooling costs were of primary importance, followed by energy efficient appliances and energy efficient lighting.”
This statistic was amazing to me. Of a 55 point checklist that I read today this is the one that really caught my eye. 90% ? What a HUGE number. This seemed like an amazing statistic to share.
If you are considering selling your home, this is something that you may want to keep in mind. Even if you are not thinking about selling for a year or two or three, when you are making any changes to your home you may want to think about this- 90%.
Trends are changing- It’s not all about Granite countertops, Hardwood floors and Designer Color paint. Home buyers are looking more and more in to the Performance of a home. They are looking at the maintenance required and the out of pocket costs to maintain it on a daily basis. It is also likely that this trend will not go away.
Home buyers are looking at not having to paint siding every 2-3 years- Maybe the A/C system changed out already and for it to be High Efficiency or Updated light fixtures and appliances that are also Energy Star Rated.
Make sure that your home is standing out from the rest and it helps to have a listing agent that can point out these items and explain the benefits to Potential Buyers. Maybe offer an Energy Audit to show proof? I offer them for my clients.
When it gets down to it, Green updates/upgrades may not only help your home sell quicker, but they will likely add value.
Hat tip to Lani Anglin-Rosales for pointing out the 2008 Survey and her amazing recap…and Ken Brand for bringing it to my attention.
